I would not join the thread starters group the hate is on display.
Yes I once was a Christian.
Never will be again, but why the hate? sorry but most who claim to be Christians are not, it takes more than mumbled prayers to Hughie.
Do not feel sorry for me, yes I know my fate if I am wrong.
But maybe there is not enough room in hell for me, some real bad men who use the name of God are booked it.
True non believers have no need to sell our side of the issues, while I would want a world that united all humans we gain nothing by using belief to divide us.
Or non belief.

David, I agree that there is no need for a set of instructions from a supernatural being. There is no need for an imaginary being in the development of morality.

Empathy and compassion are, in my view, the base of morality.
The Golden rule is universal: Do onto others as you would have them to do onto you.

I haven't found that people who believe in supernatural beings have better patterns of moral judgment than people who rely more on reality and rational thinking.

Having said that, in my daily life (outside OLO!) I haven't had significant arguments with religious people. I feel that most people, no matter their beliefs, can get along fine and most accept that some people do not share their view.

The only recent incident I had was when I discovered that all people in a meditation class I took had some kind of belief in supernatural beings. (Gods, spirits, healing guides...name it!)
When it was my turn to talk about supernatural experiences and I said I believed in nothing supernatural, they concluded that I needed some spiritual growth to become more open minded!

I felt more amused than insulted; it was like I was the only sober one at a drunken party with people who all thought I needed a drink to become 'normal' :)

I think that the vast majority of Australians who celebrated the Christmas holiday the other day did so with very little reference to its Christian aspects. Certainly, I can't think of anybody in my fairly wide circle of friends, family and acquaintances who would have attended a church on Christmas Day to hear the remonstrations from the pulpit of which David writes.

In its secular observance, involving gift-giving, feasting and gathering together with family and friends, I think that Christmas is reverting to its Saturnalian roots - except of course nobody worships Saturn any more. Sure, a few fundies might rattle on about putting Christ back in Christmas or some such, but who listens to them?

I attended Church on Christmas day and the word "atheism" was not even mentioned. So I don't know why David is so upset. If David attended Church he might find there was more positive things talked about.

If atheism was in some places discussed then certainly David has his pulpit here on ONF bagging Christianity. So what is the point?

Dear Opinionated2,

I owe you an apology ("Mea Culpa" ...). I did misread your previous
posts. After re-reading them - I admit they are not offensive in the least, and valid.

Thank you for being so patient and understanding.

As far as religion is concerned I guess people will continue to argue
heatedly on the topic (the same goes for politics or sport). I don't know why we can't just respect each other's point of view and get along... I think that's what I meant when I said, "Human nature - ain't it grand?"

Or put another way, "Everyone'd mad except thee and me, and I'm suspicious about thee." (or words to that effect).